THE DRIVE: Trump to 'dreamers:' rest easy; United CEO in holding pattern

Friday

Apr 21, 2017 at 4:13 PMApr 21, 2017 at 4:13 PM

President will release new tax plan next week; Elder Bush remains in hospital; Hernandez evidence ordered preserved; and more headlines to end your workweek, Friday, April 21, 2017.

The Associated Press

TRUMP TO 'DREAMERS:' REST EASY

WASHINGTON — Young immigrants brought to the U.S. as children and now here illegally can "rest easy," President Donald Trump said Friday, telling the "dreamers" they will not be targets for deportation under his immigration policies.

Trump said his administration is "not after the dreamers, we are after the criminals."

The president, who took a hard line on immigration as a candidate, vowed anew to fulfill his promise to construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. But he stopped short of demanding that funding for the project be included in a spending bill Congress must pass by the end of next week in order to keep the government running.

"I want the border wall. My base definitely wants the border wall," Trump said. Asked whether he would sign legislation that does not include money for the project, he said, "I just don't know yet."

UNITED DELAYS CEO'S ASCENT TO CHAIRMAN

DALLAS — United Airlines says its CEO won't add the title of chairman next year as planned, as fallout continues from the violent removal of a passenger from a plane this month.

United said Friday that CEO Oscar Munoz proposed rewriting his employment contract to remove the expectation that he would become chairman at the 2018 annual meeting of parent United Continental Holdings Inc.

Munoz was named CEO in September 2015.

GEORGE H. W. BUSH TO STAY IN HOSPITAL

HOUSTON — A spokesman for former President George H.W. Bush says the nation's 41st president will remain in a Houston hospital through the weekend while he recovers from a mild case of pneumonia.

McGrath said Bush "feels terrific," and Bush's vice president, Dan Quayle, talked with him by phone on Friday.

Bush was hospitalized April 14 for treatment of a persistent cough. Physicians say his pneumonia was treated and resolved. But he has been held for observation while he regains his strength.

HERNANDEZ EVIDENCE ORDERED PRESERVED

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — A judge on Friday ordered key evidence in the prison suicide of Aaron Hernandez preserved, granting a request from the ex-NFL star's fiancee so the family can investigate the circumstances of his death.

Bristol Superior Court Judge Thomas McGuire's ruling includes video recordings of Hernandez's cell for the eight hours before he was found hanged, records of where Hernandez was during that time and all of his property, including his writings. Authorities say he left three notes next to a Bible in his cell.

McGuire's order also covers recordings of his phone calls for 30 days before his death. But the judge declined to include recordings of other inmates' phone calls — something that George Leontire, a lawyer for Hernandez's fiancee, had requested.

More on this story, www.southcoasttoday.com

TRUMP TO RELEASE TAX REFORM PACKAGE NEXT WEEK

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says businesses and individuals will receive a "massive tax cut" under a tax reform package he plans to unveil next week.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Trump says the plan will result in tax cuts for both individuals and businesses. He would not provide details of the plan, saying only that the tax cuts will be "bigger I believe than any tax cut ever."

The president says the package will be released on "Wednesday or shortly thereafter" — just before his 100 day mark in office.

RESCUED TEEN BACK HOME IN TENNESSEE

The lawyer for the family of a 15-year-old girl who was allegedly kidnapped by her teacher says the teen is back home in Tennessee and being evaluated and treated by mental health experts. Attorney Jason Whatley said in a press release that the girl is in a safe location with family and friends.

Police say teacher Tad Cummins kidnapped the girl from Columbia, Tennessee, on March 13. Cummins was arrested Thursday after a tip led police to a remote cabin in Cecilville, California.

The lawyer said there is no doubt the girl suffered severe emotional trauma and the process of recovery is only beginning. He thanked people across the country for their thoughts and prayers and asked that the family have privacy.

More on this story, www.columbiadailyherald.com and www.siskiyoudaily.com

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.